PRP (Platelet-Rich-Plasma) treatment is now available

PRP (Platelet-Rich-Plasma) treatment is now available. PRP is a type of autologous plasma which contains a platelet concentration that is five to s= ix times greater than the normal baseline levels, having 1,000,000 platelets i= n a 5ml volume of plasma. 　To harvest PRP, a w= hole blood sample is obtained from the patient and then prepared in the laborato= ry. 　PRP may be used directly in its isolated form or in t= he form of a platelet gel.

Platelets are small but powerful. PRP contains concentrated gr= owth factors.　These grow= th factors have been shown to enhance proliferation of a variety of cell types= . The growth factors include transforming growth factor beta, vascular endothelial growth factor, and platelet derived growth factor. These are small molecules also known as cytokines that interact with the local cells and even send signals that initiate a variety of important events such as cell division a= nd migration.

Photo of Platelet Rich Plasma

Impr= oved Fat Graft Volume Retention Through Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

Autologous fat grafting, also known as fat transfer or fat injection, has long been used in the field of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Fat grafts have proven very effecti= ve in the reconstruction of soft tissue defects, particularly for facial plastic = surgical procedures. Autologous fat is= a versatile medium which offers many advantages: it is soft and pliable, read= ily available, abundant, and able to be harvested with minimal risk. Despite these benefits, there has a= lways been one significant disadvantage associated with autologous fat grafting, = the unpredictable and often inconsistent graft survival rate. In order to achieve the desired vol= ume and symmetry, it is often necessary to overcorrect and perform multiple procedures.

Promising new evide= nce has shown that PRP can enhance the fat graft survival rate. For autologous fat grafting, fat is removed through traditional liposuction techniques and the PRP may then be added directly to the graft material in a gel form.

Studies have shown = that the PRP enhanced grafts have a higher potential for graft acceptance and retention than traditional fat grafting techniques, along with decreased swelling and bruising. Patients showed continued results for as much as one= to two years after autologous fat grafting with PRP. A variety of areas were treated on various patients including the nasolabial folds, lips, malar fat pads, and breasts. The results to date = are promising and suggest that PRP may offer great potential for autologous fat transfer for use in cosmetic surgeries as well as other surgical areas.